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  • The Best Sandwich Recipes

    Looking for the best sandwich recipes? Look no further. Here I will document my journey into creating the perfect sandwich (much to my husband's delight). Make sure to bookmark this page and check back as I will be adding new recipes as I make them.

  • When We Live in Seattle

    I have lived in South Carolina for most of my life. I always wanted to move away. The first place I obsessed over was Las Vegas. I ordered every apartment guide from the area that I could find. I was sixteen. My mom was getting nervous. Obviously I never made it to Las Vegas. At one point I thought I might move to Tucson, which seems like a ridiculous idea looking back. I hate the heat. My mom was going to move us to New York when I was seventeen. That obviously fell through. No matter how many opportunities came up, I never made it out of this state. I like to think that things happen for a reason. The reason I never left was because I was supposed to meet my fantastic husband. But now that we have met, fallen in love, and started our own little family, our thoughts are to the possibilities of our life. It's not that South Carolina is a terrible place to live - other than the choking humidity, the hurricanes, and the occasional backwards thinking. I love to drive around and take pictures of the countryside. The upstate is absolutely gorgeous. It is nice to wear shorts in the winter. But I have never felt like I belong here. I believe that everyone has to find there special place. It may, very well, end up being the place they grew up. But for me that is just not the case. My husband and I talk about escaping South Carolina some day. One of the main places we talk about is Seattle. It seems like it would be the perfect place for us. We love coffee, mountains, the ocean, hiking, and boats. I would like to share my exploration of what I find interesting about Seattle. If you are interested in moving to or visiting Seattle as well, I hope you enjoy my little virtual journey. Image Credit: Wikipedia

  • Interview with the Vampire vs Twilight

    Interview with the Vampire vs Twilight Interview with the Vampire was the vampire movie for generation y. How does Twilight compare to this classic? Pssh. There is no comparison. I'll tell you why. Read on. Interview with the Vampire, the book, was published in 1976. The film was released in 1994. Twilight, the book, was an instant bestseller when it was released in 2005. However, many critics cite Bella as a weak female character. I tend to agree. She is a blubbering, clumsy, fool with a serious co-dependency problem - as a matter of fact. It makes me cringe to think this character might be a role model to young girls right now. Interview with the Vampire, the film, featured three, count them, three amazingly hot actors; Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, and Antonio Banderas. Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner don't hold a candle to these three. I am not fooled by abs alone. Sorry. Also, what happened to the teeth? Vampires need vampire teeth. That is part of the attraction. Edward just looks like a pale, skinny kid with eye makeup. Interview with the Vampire had the R rating, which brought more violence, gore, and sexuality (ie, the good stuff). Vampires weren't meant to be kept in the PG-13 rating. And let's face it, Interview with the Vampire was a much better story overall. Its story line was more intricate and developed in one movie than in the three Twilight movies combined. Twilight even borrowed concepts from Interview with the idea of the vampires of the old world. It seemed forced and didn't flow well. The Volturi weren't even interesting. They were thrown in for "authenticity" to lend some sense of history to the whole story. Interview with the Vampire only grossed nearly half of what Twilight brought in with $36,389,705 on opening weekend and $223,664,608 worldwide. Twilight also has the benefit of being a five movie deal. There was talk at one time of making The Vampire Lestat into a movie. It was rumored, however, that Tom Cruise wanted too much to play the part of Lestat in the new film. But let's take a look at the audience. Twilight has a PG-13 rating which opens itself up to double the audience. All in all, it is obvious that Twilight has been more of a monetary success (in film, at least). But does that necessarily mean it is better? No. Definitely not! Interview with the Vampire was an elegant classic that is far superior to Twilight in both literature and film. Lets see where Twilight is in 18 years. It is simply a flash in the pan of pop culture. Interview with the Vampire is a modern classic. Thirty-five years after it was first published, it continues to hold its place in the pantheon of vampire literature. People will remember Lestat. Edward, however, is just a one-hit-wonder.

  • 5,000 Illustrations Challenge

    Hello everyone! Welcome to my 5,000 illustrations challenge lens. What is the meaning of all this, you ask? Well, I have decided to set a lofty goal of having 5,000 illustrations in my Shutterstock account by January 30, 2015. At the time that I write this, there are 1,237 days from now to the end of my challenge. That evens out to about four illustrations a day. Now the rules are that I don't necessarily have to create four every day, but I have to have 5,000 in my portfolio by January 30, 2015. Right now I have 180 illustrations in my Shutterstock account, so I will be creating 4,820 illustrations.

  • How to Create Purpose in Your Life

    The central theme of life lies in it's discovery. We float along, succumbing to the monotones of social norms - never questioning the purpose out loud. It is easy to resist change. Patterns and acceptance are a form of salience. It makes us happy to do what is expected of us. It is even better when we do it well. But the question is what happens when the path we all have laid out for us is not the path that makes us happy? What happens when we sit back and really question the validity of what we are "supposed to do?" This is the moment when you have the chance to make changes to create purpose in your life. Images: yenhoon

  • Serial Experiments Lain

    Serial Experiments Lain is an intriguing anime with a dedicated following. Lain Iwakura is a quiet, withdrawn and seemingly ordinary girl. Her life is turned upside down after a classmate commits suicide and Lain discovers that she is among the few that can communicate with the deceased girl through a computer. As the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that there is much more to the virtual connectivity, or "The Wired" as it is referred to in the series, than meets the eye. The philosophical aspect of Serial Experiments Lain made this series a bit over top for some viewers. Personally, I think it was very underrated. It ranks among my top anime favorites to this day. Serial Experiments Lain asks questions of life that few feel confident to take on in film or television. It is a deep voyage into the meaning of what our world has become and what it is capable of becoming. To see such a meaningful subject explored in the otherwise simple world of animation is a unique combination. Image Credit: Exolimpo

  • Have You Ever Met a Dog This Unusual?

    Eko is, by far, the most amazing dog I have ever met. Everywhere he goes, people can't help but comment. The day he made it into our lives, we were set on getting a cat. But who could possibly resist a face like Eko's? Now, four years later, we couldn't imagine our lives without Eko. He is incredibly smart and knows the words treat, outside, walk, and woops. He does really silly things like attacking the pillows when we're out. He's a little neurotic and barks at just about anything. Once he gets to know you he will shower you with love - sitting on your lap and giving you the treasured Eko head bumps.

  • How to Keep Your Baby Busy

    Babies are in constant need of stimulation and the need increases the older they get. By the time your little one begins to crawl, he/she will be into everything. You will be cleaning up messes, fighting over the kitchen cabinets, and chasing down a little motor baby that seems downright intent on getting to your $1,000 laptop. So how do you keep your baby busy when you need a break from the grind of crying, feeding, chasing, and changing? There are some little tricks you will discover on your own, of course. However, if you need some inspiration (and who couldn't from time to time?) read on for how to keep your baby busy. You may learn a new trick along the way. Image Credit: I Should Be Folding Laundry

  • The Thirty Day Challenge Buzz

    What is it about the magical thirty days? It is said that it takes thirty days to form a habit. It takes thirty days to see results. You can try software for thirty days or your money back. Thirty days is a long time. But thirty days is also not that long at all. It seems like the perfect balance of time. You can try out a different lifestyle long enough to really feel the effects of it and then, thirty days later, you can just quit if you don't like it. It is the perfect challenge. There are countless individuals and organizations jumping on the thirty day challenge bandwagon. Many of the motivations behind these challenges come from self-help gurus trying to make a buck. Some people start challenges just for fun. Here I will share some of the best thirty day challenges on the web. Who knows, maybe it will motivate you to try one of these challenges or inspire you to make up your own thirty day challenge. Challenging yourself is fun and could possibly lead to a positive change in your life.

  • Retro Geek Gear

    "I would love to change the world, but they won't give me the source code." Do you remember BBSes? Did you run one of your own? Did you install your own modem when dial-up was the norm? Did you own an original Nintendo Entertainment System? Do you still? You might be a retro geek. A retro geek is someone who enjoys the technology, comics, and games of the past and the modern culture surrounding these geek relics. Retro geek products have been rising in popularity for some time now. With the influx of 80's nostalgia, everything from Atari systems to cassette tape adorned t-shirts are game. If you are in love with the vintage geek culture or know someone who is, you are sure to find some great ideas here. Image Credit: barite

  • My Husband Has a Traumatic Brain Injury

    In January of 2004, my husband's life was changed forever. A car accident left him in a coma with multiple fractures, brain hemorrhages, and contusions -- a severe traumatic brain injury. He underwent months of physical recovery after he regained consciousness weeks later. He was then discharged in March to a new and difficult life. His mother took him home, against recommendation (it was suggested that he needed to be in a nursing home), and cared for him. It was, I believe, her fight for him that brought him to the first half of his amazing recovery. This was a difficulty I can not imagine. He suffered from both long and short term memory loss, aphasia, deficits in reasoning, and was unable to make proper judgement when it came to his safety. I didn't meet my husband until two years after his accident. At the time, I was unaware of his condition. I didn't learn about his accident until 2007, when we started dating. At the time, I almost thought he was kidding as he seemed so "normal." The reality didn't hit me completely until I met his mother -- who told me about her experiences with his accident and his recovery. Over time it became completely obvious that he still had a number of challenges. Looking back, it is unbelievable how far we have come. I hope that this lens serves as a source of inspiration for others who are living with a loved one with a traumatic brain injury. Although my husband's case is rare, I do believe that great strides can be made with patience, support, and knowledge. My husband is my hero. He reminds me of how precious life is and how anything can be overcome. He gives me courage to fight off obstacles. He gives me hope. Perhaps he can give you hope as well.

  • I Love Maple Syrup Everything!

    Everyone loves warm maple syrup on their pancakes in the morning. I recently discovered a passion for all things with the decadent flavor of maple syrup. I happened upon some maple cereal and I was hooked. Then I discovered that there is everything from maple candy to the all too addictive maple creme cookies. But did you know that maple syrup can also be beneficial to your health? I bet there are a lot of things you didn't know about maple syrup. There is a lot to be learned about this delicious ingredient; it's colorful history, the process by which it is made, and all of the wonderful ways it can be enjoyed. Image Credit: QuintanaRoo

  • Final Fantasy Soundtracks

    I love Final Fantasy. I remember staying up until the sun rose to finish off Final Fantasy IX. The stories were always so alluring and they seemed to get better with each new release. One thing that contributed greatly to the experience were the amazing Final Fantasy soundtracks. To make it even better, there were multiple releases and re-releases of different versions of the songs from each great game. It was like experiencing the stories all over - in a completely new way. I am putting together this page to pay homage to my favorite game series and the beautiful music that came with it. Check back often as I will be adding and revising. I hope you enjoy! Make sure to leave a note to let me know what you think. Image Credit: Square-Enix

  • Moody Music to Inspire Creativity

    Have you lost your flow? The best creativity sometimes stems from being moody. And it just so happens I have the excellent collection of moody music for you to explore that is sure to get those creative juice flowing. I will be adding to this list in the future - so check back often for some new tunes to add to your playlist. So get that paintbrush, pencil, or whatever you happen to get creative with ready. It is time to bring on the mood!

  • Are You Stuck in Life?

    Life inevitably leads to a crossroad. This is likely to happen more than once in the course of a life and it is usually a point of intense reflection. Sometimes it can even be a point of intense confusion. It happens for any number of reasons. It can be anything from the death of a loved one to graduation from college. But no matter what the reason, sometimes you need to regroup and take stock of your life. It is important to learn how to deal with being stuck in life effectively. Encountering such a period unequipped can lead you on a self defeating path.

  • Renaissance Woman

    Hello everyone! My name is Tamara Lance. Here at Squidoo you may know me better as "anticloud." I often refer to myself as a bit of a renaissance woman. As you explore my many talents you will soon discover why that is. Why do I like to do so many things? I suppose I just enjoy learning and being creative. Having so many hobbies and talents makes it difficult to ever get bored. I also have a lot of exciting ways to express myself.

  • Can you guess the age of these TV celebrities?

    So who is older? McDreamy or McSteamy? I bet you might be suprised to know that Eric Dane, who plays Mark "McSteamy" Sloan on the medical drama hit Grey's Anatomy is actually the youngest by seven years! In the age of botox, liposuction, retouching, and face-lifts it is difficult to tell just how old celebrities are anymore. You may even find it all too easy to assume that one is older than another just based on the roles they play alone. So think you have what it takes? Come on down and test your knowledge on the ages of primetime television celebrities. Some of the answers might surprise you!

  • A Life in Music

    Have you ever thought about what songs might be included if there was a soundtrack of your life? Are there songs that pinpoint key memories from your past? Does simply listening to a song make you remember someone or something that occurred? Here I will share with you a snapshot of a life in music. These are songs that make up the history of how I came to be who I am today. Perhaps these same songs hold different memories for you. If so, I would love to hear your own stories behind these songs.

  • Airstream Art

    The Airstream travel trailer is one of the most beautiful and classic works of art. It is no wonder that it inspires so many creative people to create Airstream art in all types of mediums all over the world. Here you will find some gorgeous, original Airstream art that has been hand picked from around the web. If you know someone who is an Airstream enthusiast or you are in love with the silver bullet yourself - take a look at these pieces. Check back often as I will be adding to this as I discover more art. Image Credit: LindaSheetsArt

  • Robot Art

    Nothing has ever been so kitsch and modern all at the same time as the beloved robot. Robots come in all shapes and colors and are celebrated in many different mediums. From the fun, quirky robot to the more serious end-of-the-world type, robots are one subject matter that reflects a part of human nature in a completely exclusive way. Take a little journey through the world of robot art. No matter what your tastes, there is a robot for everyone. Find yours today! Image Credit: Maurizo Zorat -- Buy the Print at Allposters.com